All eyes will be on France tonight to see if they can redeem their shaky World Cup performance so far. Photo / Getty Images
4.03pm:
Here's a selection of the best quotes to come out of yesterday's press activities:
"It will be absolutely massive. We've got a real opportunity to do what no Irish team has done and reach the semi-final. We need to grasp it with both hands."
- Prop Mike Ross is fired up for Ireland's potentially historic last-eight clash against Wales.
"Thick scrum, driving lineout, ball in the air, big physical presence at the breakdown and they scramble well in defence."
- But Henry is also wary of the threat posed by the powerful Pumas for their clash at Eden Park on Sunday evening.
"To be honest, in the back of our minds it's something we'd like to achieve, but it's not something that's spoken about on a daily basis. Sure, it's a motivation at the back of the minds to be successful, but it doesn't affect us too much."
- South Africa assistant coach Gary Gold keeps cool over the prospect of becoming the first nation to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.
"Looks can be deceiving. They're excited about it."
- Australia's Kiwi coach Robbie Deans reveals that his players might look relaxed ahead of Sunday's quarter-final with the Springboks, but they are really raring to get going.
"John's a quality player. I've always had a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a person. I've never had an easy game against him and Sunday will be no different."
- Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore expects yet another tough front row clash with South Africa skipper and opposite number John Smit.
"If there is a bit of sledging involved then so be it. That's all part of it and it adds to the spice and excitement of the game."
- South Africa-born second row Dan Vickerman is prepared to receive some verbal assaults as well as physical from the Springboks when he lines up for Australia at the weekend.
3.52pm:
Did you know that some of the world's first animated films were made and released in Argentina, by a man named Quirino Cristiani in 1917?
No? That's because you've spent too much time thinking about the All Blacks.
Let's fix that, with a beginner's guide to Argentina. Don't worry, it's all rugby related, no animation.
3.40pm:
French coach Marc Lievremont might have had a bit of trouble keeping his team in line throughout this tournament, but he's keeping his facial hair very organised.
The Telegraph reports that he's been manscaping his mo "as a tribute to Les Bleus' English defence coach Dave Ellis."
And the French media joined him yesterday, with a full contingent of French lip-slugs at his press conference.
3.28pm:
The Wales vs Ireland game is shaping up to be, if you'll forgive the expression, harder to pick than a broken nose.
In today's edition of Rugby World Cup news, Warren Gatland talks about how he sees the form of the Welsh side.
There's also a look at the merchandise side of the cup, with a trip to an official Rugby World Cup store.
3.18pm:
We've just been for a quick wander down to Quay Street, near Party Central, and the crowds are starting to gather.
There are plenty of English supporters and a handful of French fans looking sideways at them. Then there's the odd Irish fan, who may not have believed they'd get up against the Wallabies, and had made plans to be in Auckland. Hard to keep a rugby loving Irish fan down though, especially if there's Guinness about.
2.45pm: Who's going to do the England goalkicking tonight. Well England first five Jonny Wilkinson has made it clear he wants the responsibilities for the quarter final against France.
Long regarded as one of the greatest place kickers of all time, Wilkinson has converted just 45% of his kicks for goal this tournament.
But he believes he's striking the ball well. But not all the kickers have had problems. Check out this story by David Leggat on which kickers could have the greatest impact from here on in.
"I would probably take back two kicks I've taken that I've not been happy with, I just need to keep working to get better and better," says the World Cup winner.
Toby Flood, who will start outside Wilkinson at second-five, has a 77% success rate at the tournament.
2.32pm: Wellington's party central organisers believe they're well prepared for tonight's quarter final festivities.
Courtenay Place and some surrounding roads closed early this morning, for the pending street party.
They won't open again until Monday, and there'll be extensive road closures around Wellington Regional Stadium before and after the games.
Courtenay Accord president John Coleman says crowds are expected to be twice the size of a Sevens weekend, and it's a more mature clientele.
"They've come along away, they've got coin in their pockets, they want good wine and nice food," says Mr Coleman.
2.15pm: All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is keeping to the status quo in preparation for tomorrow night's Rugby World Cup 2011 quarter final against Argentina.
He may be handed the goal kicking responsibilities for the match, with coach Graham Henry refusing to reveal who will have those duties.
Weepu says he's approaching the match no different.
"Keeping the same routine, not making dramatic changes. I'll prepare the same as the last four weeks," says Weepu.
The All Blacks have a captain's run this evening to finish their official preparation for the quarter-final.
2.00pm: Hi, welcome to today's live updates covering all the Rugby World Cup news on and off the pitch for the next nine hours. Of course two huge games tonight with Wales taking on Ireland at 6pm in Wellington and then England taking on France in Auckland after that. It seems everybody is ready to write-off the French after their loss to Tonga. But not Toby Flood. "We understand the predicament that they're in, it makes the first 30 minutes hugely important to squash any enthusiasm the have," says Flood.
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